Any time a bride chooses a wedding dress that’s any color other than white or ivory, there’s a little bit of intrigue. When the gown is black, we enter an entirely different level of dramatic. Now let’s clear something up right away: a black wedding dress does not need to be gothic (so traditional mothers everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief), nor does it need to feel kitschy or immature. This gorgeous inspiration shoot shows us how the drama of a black wedding dress can be perfectly paired with elegant style throughout the rest of your wedding.

You can bring this elegant style to your own wedding with the help of a few small suggestions:

-An incredible venue: this classic architecture requires wedding details that stand up for themselves. This elegant black wedding dress does not get lost amidst the architectural details.

-Beautiful calligraphy: we think the choice to use calligraphy and hand-drawn elements for the invitation suite is brilliant, because it brings enough presence to the stationery without going overboard. The beautiful lettering lends a traditional feel that you don’t want to miss.

-Simple but strong hair and makeup styling: simple waves are pretty and flattering, whereas an updo might seem too formal and fight against the black wedding dress. A dark smoky eye balances the gown’s depth, while a simple lip and cheek finish her look in an elegant way.